Bach/Leitner's progressive text lays a solid foundation for elementary algebra that carefully addresses student needs. The authors' clear, non-intimidating, and humorous style reassures math-anxious readers. Unlike workbook-format Prealgebra texts that stress competence at procedures, this text emphasizes understanding and mastery through careful step-by-step explanations that strengthen students' long-term abilities to conceptualize and solve problems. The text's innovative sequencing builds students' confidence with arithmetic operations early on before extending the basic concepts to algebraic expressions and equations. The authors' unusually thorough introduction to variables eases students through the crucial transition from working with numbers. Throughout the text, interesting applied examples and exercises and math-appreciation features highlight key concepts at work in a wide variety of real-world contexts.